Cochlear implants and cadets

Adult Staff The Staff Mess
1

Hello all,

I hope you’re all doing well!

I have had a parent approach me with questions about their 12 year old child joining cadets. Their child was born profoundly deaf but has cochlear implants allowed them the hear.

I have absolutely no issue them joining us but am interested to see if anyone else has experience with this?

  • Are there any restrictions or limitation to what they can do? Eg flying, shooting, AT etc
  • Any practical adjustments (if required?)
  • Are there any grants to assist with learning such as hearing loop etc?
  • Our Sqn has an audible fire alarm only. Would RFCA or the Corps potentially fund emergency lighting (red flashing etc).

I have no intention to treat them any differently to the other cadets but I feel it only right to manage our & their expectations of what we can or cannot deliver.

I look forward to any information or suggestions you have.

Thank you

2

I had one on the team at RIAT. He was the winner because he didn’t need ear protection as his implants cut out at a certain Db.

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3

Unfortunately the AvMed1 form says any condition affecting the ears is a bar to AEF.

4

I would’ve thought it’s still important to protect their ears from the physical damage. Like blind people still wear darkened glasses to protect their eyes from getting burned by UV and no realising.

5

They can get a Drs sign off I’ve forgotten what the form is called off my head. It may come with restrictions as it’s very flight specific.

The ACP covers deaf cadets, and your ASPIRE Officer should be able to Officer specific assistance.

6

That would be a health sand safety issue regarding the building and RFCA should pay to rectify under the Disability Discrimination Act…

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7

Might be worth speaking to your wing shooting officer.

We had a partially deaf cadet once, who had to have one-to-one supervision, to act as a relay to the RCO orders.

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8

From my other job role would need to treat any big head bumps as an emergency which might mean avoiding certain activities and can’t allow it to get wet (you can get aqua packs for swimming)

Worth a chat with potential cadet and parents first but ndcs.org.uk also has some good information

They may already have a radio aid through school.

Common sense risk assessments like a shared room overnight in case of fire alarm so that someone can make sure they are awake. Their hearing loss team will usually support with training and risk assessment support.

Hope this helps a little

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9

I believe you’re referring to RAF Form 6424. I needed one for flying.

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10

That’s the one - I should know I’ve given enough out over the years!

11

The AvMed Form 1 tells you when a F6424 is needed. Unfortunately ear conditions are not something that a GP can sign off for on the F6424.

12

I had quite a long conversation with the cadet as I was of the same opinion as you. He convinced me, as I was expecting the “it’ll be alright” speech.

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13

Inform Wg HQ/sometimes the RAvnO is also involved too - AV Med 1 ends up with CFMO and each case is looked at on an individual basis, but cadets have been authorised to fly with AEF